Decommissioning

Storage Tank Removal and Management:

Underground Storage Tanks (UST) and Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) used to store fuel, solvents, waste oil and other potential contaminants are present at many industrial, commercial and residential properties. Poor installation, management and servicing of these UST/AST’s may create conditions where leakage can occur.

Bluewater has supervised the decommissioning of hundreds of UST and AST on sites regulated by both the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and MECP. Bluewater will work with the clients selected contractor or can provide turn-key services through our working relationship with TSSA-Licensed Petroleum Contractors.

Upon removal of the UST/AST, Bluewater will assess environmental conditions, complete soil vapour screening on soils within the excavation and obtain the required confirmatory soil samples to determine compliance. Should remediation or further assessment of soil and groundwater conditions be required, Bluewater can offer cost-effective and timely solutions to achieve Regulatory Compliance and allow on-going usage of the property.

Designated Substances Survey’s and Impacted Building Materials:

Designated substances are materials defined in the province of Ontario under the Occupational Health & Safety Act. The Act defines the following substances as hazardous:

  • Acrylonitrile
  • Arsenic
  • Asbestos
  • Bengene
  • Coke Oven Emissions
  • Ethylene Oxide
  • Iso Cyanates
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Silica
  • Vinyl Chloride

During renovations or demolition work contractors, workers and the public may be exposed to these substances. It is the property owners responsibility to ensure that these materials are identified and proper precautions implemented prior to undertaking renovation/demolition work.

Bluewater completes DSS focused on identifying these hazardous substances through visual inspection and lab analysis, coupled with an extensive knowledge of the historical use of such materials in buildings.

If a building has been vacant or subject to poor housekeeping, etc, issues such as the presence of mould growth, bird and animal droppings, etc, may require that assessment and possible remedial actions be undertaken to safeguard worker health and safety. Bluewater can provide guidance on managing these conditions.